What makes certain wines a “good value,” a get-what-you-pay-for pick, or a luxury selection?
Given all the choices of wine out there, choosing the right one to go with certain occasions or meals can be overwhelming—add to that the pressure of picking a “good” bottle and most people opt to rely on a bartender’s good judgment in wine selection. So, what does a bartender need to know?
We asked John Dunn, Vice President of Marketing and Operations for Blue Ridge Spirits known for Luna Nuda Prosecco and Pinot Grigio, for tips on how to spot a “good value” or “quality” wine pick.
Tell us how to choose the right wine.
Although there are many, many wines to choose from, the characteristics of each wine are different. For instance, a Prosecco should have an effervescent mouthfeel, while a Pinot Noir should not.
When recommending wine, it’s important to get an idea of what a customer is looking for. Asking questions like “what type of wine do you prefer” and “are you looking for a wine to pair with your meal” to assess whether they’re looking for a red or a white, and if they’re looking to pair their wine, what they’ll be having for dinner. Luna Nuda Pinot Grigio, for example, is a full bodied white that pairs well with lighter dishes like chicken and fish, but also has enough strong flavors to stand up to richer sauces.
Dunn’s 5 Ways to Spot Quality Wine:
The Label: Looking at the front isn’t always the best way to judge the wine. Read the back! Often, winemakers add tasting notes, detail, and important information (like winery, region, etc.) to the back. There are rules to labeling wine and they can be very specific, so the back label can give more information that isn’t distinguishable from a single designation. The more specific the wine description is on the back label in regard to terroir and description the more you can tell about the wine (and more description you can give to customers!)
DOC designations: DOC, which means “designation of controlled origin,” is a combination of a geographically restricted production area, regulations on winemaking methods, and maximum harvest yields for the designated wines. While DOC seems to be a good indicator, many winemakers choose not to apply for DOC because it allows for flexibility and creativity in the winemaking process.
Taste: The best way to determine wine quality is to taste the wine yourself! While you may not feel like you have a sommelier palate, use the instincts you have for mixing drinks and apply it to wine. Does the body and mouthfeel of the wine balance with the flavors? If you have high alcohol, is there some sweetness to balance? Identify flavors in the wine like you would a cocktail and compare it to what’s expected for the style (which is an easy google search!)
Balance: A balance of acid, sweetness, tannin, and alcohol is essential to the winemaking process. Acid and tannin create “harder” flavors in your mouth, while alcohol and residual sugar soften those flavors. Getting these four components to balance is a mark of a quality wine.
Length, Depth: Length refers to how the wine feels on your palate, while depth refers to the layering of flavors. Complex wines are more difficult to produce, so that can give you an idea of quality.
What makes Luna Nuda a quality wine at its price point?
What makes Luna Nuda a quality wine is the care and energy that is put into cultivating the grapes and the wine making process at Castelfeder Winery, in the Alto Adige Valley of Italy. Alto-Adige is extremely well known for its Pinot Grigios and is also small as far as Italian regions go. Many commonly found Alto-Adige Pinot Grigios retail for over twenty dollars, depending on your location.
What Makes Luna Nuda a solid choice?
Luna Nuda Pinot Grigio is estate grown handpicked, and hand sorted in Italy’s Alto Adige Valley at Castelfeder Winery. Alto-Adige is considered one of the best growing regions for Pinot Grigio, (Source) producing wines that are crisp, light-bodied, and pair with a variety of dishes. The wine is bright and crisp, with flavors of golden delicious apple and citrus. This wine has a hint of alpine air and minerality—flavors that embody the terroir of Italy’s northernmost winegrowing region.
What should bartenders know about selling and serving Luna Nuda wine?
Luna Nuda Pinot Grigio is a great by the glass option for the menu, with the option to buy a bottle as an upsell. Luna Nuda should be served in a white wine glass and should be chilled before serving for at least a day. Additionally, when serving Luna Nuda as a bottle, a wine chiller should be placed on the table to keep the Pinot Grigio chilled before glasses are refilled.
The post 5 Ways to Spot a Quality Wine appeared first on Chilled Magazine.
Source: Mixology News
